Minister’s sex romp

MONROVIA – Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf accepted the resignation of her Chief of Staff Willie Knuckles after he was photographed having sex with two women, tarnishing a government campaign for moral probity.

Johnson-Sirleaf, a long-time campaigner for women’s rights, said Knuckles had not broken the law but the scandal threatened to derail efforts to combat sexual abuse and raise standards in Liberia’s public life after a brutal 1989-2003 civil war. Knuckles, who is also minister of state for presidential affairs and is married with children, has accused opposition lawmakers of trying to use the photographs to blackmail him.”The behaviour of Minister Knuckles, while not illegal, is improper and inappropriate for a public servant,” Johnson-Sirleaf said in a televised address late on Monday.”I accepted his resignation …Those who sought to use this unfortunate situation for blackmail should probably review their own moral probity,” she said.Liberia’s irreverent media have had a field day with the “Knucklegate” scandal, piling pressure on Johnson-Sirleaf to enforce the high moral standards preached by her government.Johnson-Sirleaf, who took office as Africa’s first elected female president last year, has launched a fight against widespread prostitution and sexual abuse in the impoverished West African state.Rape became a weapon of war during Liberia’s civil war.Nampa-ReutersKnuckles, who is also minister of state for presidential affairs and is married with children, has accused opposition lawmakers of trying to use the photographs to blackmail him.”The behaviour of Minister Knuckles, while not illegal, is improper and inappropriate for a public servant,” Johnson-Sirleaf said in a televised address late on Monday.”I accepted his resignation …Those who sought to use this unfortunate situation for blackmail should probably review their own moral probity,” she said.Liberia’s irreverent media have had a field day with the “Knucklegate” scandal, piling pressure on Johnson-Sirleaf to enforce the high moral standards preached by her government.Johnson-Sirleaf, who took office as Africa’s first elected female president last year, has launched a fight against widespread prostitution and sexual abuse in the impoverished West African state.Rape became a weapon of war during Liberia’s civil war.Nampa-Reuters